secte

sect, cult

noun SEKT Rare

Origin: From Latin 'secta' (a following, a school of thought).

Usage Note

secte in modern French nearly always carries a negative connotation and refers to a dangerous cult rather than a neutral religious denomination. The government body la Miviludes monitors cults in France. A mainstream religious group would be called une religion or une confession, not une secte.

Examples

"La police enquête sur cette secte dangereuse."

Natural Translation

The police are investigating this dangerous cult.

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